Three Ways to Save Serious Money by Installing Replacement Windows in your California Home
The aesthetic benefits of replacement windows for California homes is blatantly apparent, but most homeowners don't realize until after the fact that replacing older windows with energy efficient windows comes with even greater benefits than the obvious. When it comes to home renovation projects, it can be difficult to decide which area of your Sacramento home to focus on.
While each different type of renovation project has its own perks, replacing drafty windows with energy efficient windows is one that really pays back in terms of dollars as well as aesthetic gratification. In this article, we'll take a look at 3 of the most financially rewarding benefits of choosing replacement windows as your next home renovation project.
Energy Efficient Windows Noticeably Lower Heating and Cooling Costs
Although California has some of the most beautiful weather in the country, we still make good use of our heaters and air conditioners. Older, non-energy efficient windows can undermine the efficiency of a home's insulation and drive up energy use which is the reason that windows in California are one of the leading causes of energy loss and one of the first places to examine to increase a home's energy efficiency. By investing in a new set of insulated windows, California homeowners can cut their energy costs and greatly reduce their utility bills.
Though most homes in California are fairly "new" in comparison with other areas of the country, it is amazing just how much technology for insulated windows has changed in recent years. Today's energy efficient windows are designed with advanced technology to ensure unparalleled insulation from both temperature and noise. Double paned windows like the Renewal by Andersen window that have earned the government's Energy Star rating incorporate numerous advanced technology features.
These replacement windows are constructed with dual panes of glass that surround a pocket of argon that works to absorb noise and virtually eliminate the transfer of hot and cold air. The panes themselves are made of Low-E4 glass that is 35% more energy efficient in the winter and 41% more energy efficient in the hot Sacramento summers.
Energy Star Rated Replacement Windows Serious Tax Credit Perks
California homeowners aren't the only ones concerned about conserving energy. To encourage consumers to purchase items that conserve natural resources, the government launched the Energy Star rating and began offering tax credits to those who chose Energy Star products.
Earning an Energy Star rating isn't an easy task for a window manufacturer. The label isn't something that is distributed freely to any product that makes an effort to function more efficiently. Energy Star products must really perform in terms of conservation of energy.
The greatest part about the Energy Star tax credit is that it actually reduces the amount of taxes owed -- unlike a deduction, which only reduces your taxable income. When you purchase replacement windows with an Energy Star rating, you will receive a tax credit of 10% of the purchase price (less installation costs) up to a total of $200.
Energy Efficient Windows Increased the Value of your Home
Choosing to install replacement windows as opposed to other home improvement projects has other financial benefits too. It is surprising just how much more attractive a home can look with a new set of windows. California homes have a unique architectural charm that can be greatly enhanced by quality window replacements.
There are endless choices in replacement windows in Sacramento. Builders tend to favor simple (meaning cheap) window products, which means that most houses on the block are most likely constructed with the same standard windows. If you're planning on selling within the next few years, the replacement windows can help your home to stand out from the crowd. In this slow Sacramento real estate market, upgrades like replacement windows that help your home to stand apart from the crowd can be a critical factor in your ability to sell your home quickly.
The best part is that your investment will just about pay for itself. A recent survey in Remodeling Magazine showed that homeowners who installed replacement windows in Sacramento and other markets could recoup approximately 85% of the installation cost, making window replacement one of the best investments a homeowner can make.
Replacing your windows with energy efficient windows is a financially sound decision for a variety of reasons. While you're living in your home you'll enjoy lower energy bills and a nice tax credit and when it's time to sell, you're more likely to sell your home faster and for more money than if you had never replaced the windows. The beauty and freshness that replacement windows can bring to your home are just the beginning of the benefits. In addition to the aesthetics, replacing windows with energy efficient windows is a sound financial decision.
